Minn. DNR: Fewer wolves shot for predator control

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Fewer wolves are being shot or trapped for predator control in Minnesota, wildlife managers told a legislative hearing Tuesday evening as they defended how they’ve handled the resumption of hunting since the predators came off the endangered list two years ago this week.

The number of wolves killed because they were preying on livestock or pets fell from 295 in 2012 to 127 last year, said Dan Stark, large carnivore specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. He attributed the decline to the mild winter of 2011-12, not hunting. He said wolf depredation on livestock tends to increase during mild winters when it’s harder for wolves to chase down deer.

He also said the total of verified complaints of wolves preying on livestock and pet dogs fell from 122 to 70 from 2012 to 2013…